OXFORD buzz band Foals were the hottest ticket in town tonight as they launched their debut album with an intimate show at the HMV music shop, in Cornmarket Street.

More than 250 fans packed inside to see the band, with some queuing from 5am to get their hands on coveted wristbands to gain admission to the special event.

Foals played six songs from their new record Antidotes, including Balloons and the hit single Cassius.

Charlie Gee, 44, from Summertown, who was there with his 13-year-old daughter Chloe, said: "My daughter is a huge fan and I wanted to pop along because I thought they sound quite distinctive. It was a really good performance."

Alice Koston, 13, from Oxford, said: "They were amazing. It's great for a local band to be doing so well. It makes me feel so proud."

Store manager Chris Parnell said: "People were queuing from really early and all the wristbands had gone by 9am. I haven't seen so much interest for a band from Oxford for a long time."

Antidotes is expected to reach the top ten in the charts later this week. It was launched the same day as Oxford favourites Supergrass released their new record, Diamond Hoo Ha Man.